Does Mark Hyman recommend Folate (Vitamin B9)?
Yes — Mark Hyman has directly recommended Folate (Vitamin B9).
Published research rates it strong evidence. Of Mark Hyman's 18 tracked claims, 0 are supported or partially supported by studies on PubMed.
Evidence last reviewed May 2026
Mark Hyman on Folate (Vitamin B9) — 18 claims
“he had found some humans um that were low and folate and did some experiments as well found a similar thing gave them back the folate DNA double stranded brakes went away”
In human subjects who were low in folate, DNA double-stranded breaks were observed, and restoring folate caused those breaks to go away.
“he decided to do some animal work well let's see what happens if we don't if we deprive you know rodents of folate and sure enough widespread DNA damage just completely you know and DNA double shed brakes and D DNA are the precursor to um basically on oncogenic mutation cancer”
Animal studies depriving rodents of folate produced widespread DNA damage and double-stranded DNA breaks, which are precursors to cancer.
“he used a media that didn't have folate and uh all of a sudden um he started noticing all these double stranded breaks in DNA...DNA double shed brakes and D DNA are the precursor to um basically on oncogenic mutation cancer”
Research showed that cell media lacking folate caused double-stranded DNA breaks, which are precursors to oncogenic mutations and cancer.
“he used a media that didn't have folate and uh all of a sudden um he started noticing all these double stranded breaks in DNA...DNA double shed brakes and D DNA are the precursor to um basically on oncogenic mutation cancer”
Research showed that cell media lacking folate caused double-stranded DNA breaks, which are precursors to oncogenic mutations and cancer.
“he decided to do some animal work well let's see what happens if we don't if we deprive you know rodents of folate and sure enough widespread DNA damage just completely you know and DNA double shed brakes and D DNA are the precursor to um basically on oncogenic mutation cancer”
Animal studies depriving rodents of folate produced widespread DNA damage and double-stranded DNA breaks, which are precursors to cancer.
“he had found some humans um that were low and folate and did some experiments as well found a similar thing gave them back the folate DNA double stranded brakes went away”
In human subjects who were low in folate, DNA double-stranded breaks were observed, and restoring folate caused those breaks to go away.
“you also need a lot of nutrients to metabolize your toxins things like folate zinc selenium magnesium manganes you need all the methylating B vitamins folate B12 B6 um and you need these are all co-actors that basically power all those detox enzymes that are processing all the toxins”
Folate is one of the nutrients needed to metabolize toxins, acting as a co-factor that powers detox enzymes.
“she had some genes that made her need a special kind of folate”
Some individuals have genetic variants that require a special form of folate (methyl folate) rather than regular folate.
“she had some genes that made her need a special kind of folate”
Some individuals have genetic variants that require a special form of folate (methyl folate) rather than regular folate.
“homocysteine which are things that most doctors don't check but reflect your status of B12 which is methanic acid and homocysteine which is the folate and even B6”
Homocysteine levels reflect folate status and are a marker most doctors don't check.
“you also need a lot of nutrients to metabolize your toxins things like folate zinc selenium magnesium manganes you need all the methylating B vitamins folate B12 B6 um and you need these are all co-actors that basically power all those detox enzymes that are processing all the toxins”
Folate is one of the nutrients needed to metabolize toxins, acting as a co-factor that powers detox enzymes.
“folate is a precursor for um for making DNA and so if you don't have that there your body will put something there from RNA a urasil instead of a a thyine and those are like nucleotides DNA build and so it basically causes these double stranded breaks”
Folate is a precursor for making DNA; without it, the body inserts uracil instead of thymine into DNA, causing double-stranded breaks.
“if you're low folate in the short term it'll cause anemia of form of anemia call which is Big cells called megastic anemia but in the long run it can cause cancer and heart disease and dementia”
Low folate in the short term can cause megaloblastic anemia, but in the long run can cause cancer, heart disease, and dementia.
“homocysteine which are things that most doctors don't check but reflect your status of B12 which is methanic acid and homocysteine which is the folate and even B6”
Homocysteine levels reflect folate status and are a marker most doctors don't check.
“folate is a precursor for um for making DNA and so if you don't have that there your body will put something there from RNA a urasil instead of a a thyine and those are like nucleotides DNA build and so it basically causes these double stranded breaks”
Folate is a precursor for making DNA; without it, the body inserts uracil instead of thymine into DNA, causing double-stranded breaks.
“if you're low folate in the short term it'll cause anemia of form of anemia call which is Big cells called megastic anemia but in the long run it can cause cancer and heart disease and dementia”
Low folate in the short term can cause megaloblastic anemia, but in the long run can cause cancer, heart disease, and dementia.
“I basically gave her B12 shots high doses of methyl folate which is a particular kind saw she had some genes that made her need a special kind of folate and she called me back and was doing amazing and all of her symptoms had gone away”
High doses of methyl folate were given to a patient with elevated homocysteine and cognitive decline, and her symptoms resolved.
“I basically gave her B12 shots high doses of methyl folate which is a particular kind saw she had some genes that made her need a special kind of folate and she called me back and was doing amazing and all of her symptoms had gone away”
High doses of methyl folate were given to a patient with elevated homocysteine and cognitive decline, and her symptoms resolved.
Other supplements Mark Hyman discusses
Claims are extracted from publicly available podcasts and videos, attributed to their source, and compared against PubMed research. This is educational information only — consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
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